Soulive
Album: Break Out
Label: Concord Records
3 out of 5

Jazz has been an essential component of the development of popular music over the last century. For nearly 100 years, jazz has evolved in the sundry streets of early 20th century New Orleans, to the roaring 1920s clubs in Chicago, to the center of music publishing in New York City. Jazz has seen its popularity and influence spread throughout inner-city clubs, speakeasies, music halls, and finally throughout American homes and eventually the rest of the world. A blend of ragtime, brass band and bluesy tones, jazz developed into highly arranged dance music which announced the “big band” or “swing” music-era that was made popular by both black and white musicians.

Ultimately, jazz has found its way into hip-hop, soul, and even the Motown sounds of the second half of the 20th century and into the new millennium. Following in a similar tradition of musical integration, Soulive has released its soulfully drenched instrumental jazz album, Break Out.

Originating in Woodstock, N.Y., Soulive has its roots firmly planted in jazz, soul, and hip-hop- a combination of indigenous American musical styles resulting in a unique sound that has propelled the group from unknowns to road-weary troubadours opening for bands such as The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, and India Aire, and selling out venues on their own. Break Out is Soulive’s first album for Concord Records and the band’s first studio album in 3 1/2 years. Based on the grooves fashioned by drummer Alan Evans and his organist brother Neal Evans, Soulive encouraged guitarist-extraordinaire Eric Krasno to join the band and the vibe solidified into a solid jamming trio whose appeal has grown with each subsequent album.

The accomplished musicians are coming off a recent break-up with Blue Note Records, one of the most reputable jazz/blues labels in the industry. On its debut album with Concord, the group has enlisted the help of several guest performers: Ivan Neville, Corey Glover, Robert Randolph, Chaka Khan and Reggie Watts. Each talented artist lends a hand on the album; at times even overshadowing the capable abilities of Soulive.

In many ways, Break Out is a therapeutic exercise in erasing the “jam band” stereotype. The arrangements are much tighter, the songs are shorter but still pack a punch that moves your booty and shakes your speakers. Funk is indeed a main ingredient throughout the album, with a sharp horn section that adds even more flavor to the the organ-guitar-drum mix.

Production experimentation is something Soulive is particularly proud of on this album from mixing live drums with electronic beats to full-blown collaborations blending jazz, salsa, rock, hip-hop, and soul all in one astonishing album. Stand out tracks like the instrumental “Crosstown Traffic” with steel-pedal guitar god Robert Randolph is an amazing tribute to Hendrix. Living Color’s Corey Glover’s larger-than-life vocal contribution on “Freedom” was an excellent vocalist choice for the track. Meanwhile, Chaka Khan and Ivan Neville give more emphasis to the critique that Soulive could benefit from a soulful vocalist to extend its position in the musical world. Break Out is primarily an instrumental album, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking with your local record store for the recent album or going to one of the live shows if Soulive ever comes to the area. If you’re a fan of the jazzy-funk old-soul grooves of Sly & Family Stone or Earth, Wind and Fire or new-age funksters Galactic or Medeski, Martin and Wood, then you’ll be happy to update your record collection with Soulive’s Break Out.

(Joe Hooten is a WCU and UNC Chapel Hill alum and a teacher. Coltrane is not only the name of his wife’s dog, but the creator of his favorite jazz album, Blue Train. He can be reached at thatbeat@hotmail.com.)